The Sidewalk LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
This project by Tom Gerardin portrays a little bakery and the sidewalk environment around it. The Sidewalk brings together several micro builds into one project, recreating what might be found beside the streets of a major city. For more information, you can visit the project page on LEGO Ideas here.

Appeals of this Project
Although this project is laid out in one continuous scene, there are many things going on along this sidewalk that offer numerous play and display possibilities. Looking at this from the perspective of a minifigure, we start walking down the sidewalk and see a fire hydrant with a dog next to it, and is that a yellow spot under the dog? Better be careful where we step! Just a couple paces farther along we see a mother who is resting in the shade of a nearby tree with her newborn baby all wrapped up in a warm blanket. Looking at the flowers on the tree, we notice that Spring is finally here, and we see a crow just waiting for someone to drop some goodies at the bakery down the street. Next we pass an old payphone and a vending machine where someone is purchasing a drink. Passing the young boy playing with his dog, we reach Eli & Olive's bakery and are faced with the decision of pie of cookies?

Now that we have taken a tour of the sidewalk from the perspective of a minifigure, I want to focus on the Eli & Olive's bakery. I absolutely love the custom stickers for the sign above the awning and the hanging sign, and the gingerbread man's head makes it look very inviting and is a very creative use for that piece. Inside the shop there is what looks to be a brick oven where Eli and Olive make their baked goods, and there is also a small display counter and cash register. Overall, the whole design of this bakery reminds me of a little hole-in-the-wall shop, which usually produce some of the best food.

Areas for Improvement
I could go either way on this, but it might be nice to have something on the other side of the wall, maybe a small city park or something similar. With that addition, I feel that it would be a perfect complement to the modular sets that The LEGO Group has previously produced. One other minor concern is that there may be too many minifigures for a set this size, although the 60134 Fun in the Park People Pack did have a large number of minifigures relative to the set size, so it is possible. But again, this is a debatable topic.

Conclusion
I really like this project, and I think it has great playability and offers several options for AFOLs to use alongside their modular displays, or in an existing city display. If The Sidewalk reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Officail LEGO Ideas Review process, I believe this would make a wonderful set. To see more pictures and offer your support to help this become a set, you can visit the project on LEGO Ideas by clicking here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? You can click here to find out more.


Pictures used and review completed with the permission of Tom Gerardin.

Long Overdue Update to LEGO Ideas Guidelines and House Rules

LEGO Ideas recently updated their Guidelines and House Rules as well as their Terms of service. You can read the full update below as posted in the LEGO Ideas blog.

Here are my thoughts on the changes:

• I really like that projects based on LEGO Ideas sets that have a third party intellectual property (IP) license will not be allowed. This will help remove some of the clutter and a lot of the duplicate projects that are currently in the LEGO Ideas pipeline and are clogging things up for other projects.
• The piece limit is good, and long overdue in my opinion, but 3,000 pieces is still a very large threshold. Keep in mind that all of the Modular sets, many of the Creator Expert sets, and the larger Technic sets are all under 3,000 pieces.
• I don't feel that this was a huge issue, but it will clan things up a little bit.
• I have never tried to collaborate with anyone on a LEGO Ideas project, so I do not have any experience to base my comment off of, but this seems like a much simpler method of allowing collaboration.
• This update is essentially clarification on what was already implied in the Guidelines and House rules.
• Hopefully this will help make the project descriptions more useful. Many of the projects I see on LEGO Ideas have project descriptions that are either too long or too short, neither of which provide any benefit to the reader.
• Glad to see that projects reaching the 1,000 supporter mile stone will not be removed. This is a major mile stone, and should help give some credibility to the designer(s) for other projects they may post.
• Basically just updating verbiage making it clear that you can promote your LEGO Ideas project without infringing on any of LEGO Ideas property rights just as long as you do it for not-commercial reasons and in non-commercial ways.

Posted June 21, 2016

Today we've updated our Guidelines and House Rules and Terms of Service to clarify the range of submission we're able to produce as LEGO Ideas sets. This includes new limits to project size, scope, and subject matter. We’ve also simplified guidelines for collaborative projects. Here's a summary of the updates:

• Once we produce a LEGO Ideas set based on a third-party property, we will not accept more Ideas submissions based on that property. This sharpens our guideline on follow-up products based on LEGO Ideas submissions. Once we approve a licensed project for production through LEGO Ideas, we’ll archive other projects based on the same property and not accept new submissions based on the that property.
• Projects must fit in a single product box, so we’re setting a part count limit of 3,000 pcs. While we can’t count the pieces in your photos, if your model looks too big we’ll send it back and ask you to submit a smaller model at our own discretion.
• Projects must focus on a single concept or third-party property. This essentially expands on the “no playthemes or series” rule and also rules out “mass customization” projects (e.g. custom mosaic or minifigure makers) as well as combining more than one third-party property into a single project. (e.g. a project containing both Porsche and Ferrari cars).
• It’s now simpler to collaborate on projects. We’ve removed the requirement to email us declaring your collaboration. You must still receive explicit permission from someone else before including their original work in your project. All new collaborative projects must mention collaborators’ LEGO Ideas usernames in the description, and state that their original work is included with the member’s explicit permission.
• New restrictions on project contents
  • No iconic elements referencing third-party properties we find inappropriate for the LEGO brand
  • No large or human-scale weapons or weapon replicas of any kind, including swords, knives, guns, sci-fi or fantasy blasters, etc.
  • Projects may not propose LEGO Dimensions expansion packs
  • You may only use logos that belong to third-parties in the context of your model, similar to LEGO logo guidelines. You may not display logos that do not belong to you in your artwork, since this can imply endorsement from the logo owner.
• New guidelines to help improve project descriptions
  • At minimum, please write your description to include a description of your model, why you built it, and why you believe it would make a great LEGO set.
  • In some cases, moderators may make basic grammatical changes on your behalf so we can speed up the approval of your project. We will never change the nature of your project and we’ll notify you by email if we make any changes.
• Terms of Service now preserves projects that gain a significant following. While we understand you may occasionally want to delete a project with only a handful of supporters, to either re-submit with improvements or clean up your project portfolio, once a project reaches 1,000 supporters it will not be removed.
• Terms of Service revises language regarding assignment of rights. We’ve worked with our Legal department to clarify how you assign us rights when you submit a project, and reassure you that you may share and publish your submission to promote your project online, in media, your portfolio, and other places for non-commercial purposes.

We introduce these guidelines with the following steps:

1. New Guidelines and moderation responses
2. Archiving projects based on third-party properties commercialized through LEGO Ideas, including Hayabusa, Minecraft, Back to the Future, Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover, Ghostbusters, The Big Bang Theory, Doctor Who, WALL·E, Caterham, Adventure Time, Beatles, and Apollo missions.
3. Removing projects that don’t fit our new appropriate content requirements such as life-sized weapons or references to inappropriate third-party properties
4. Other guidelines will be applied going forward and not retroactively

Why these updates now?

We write our Guidelines to help you submit projects that have a reasonable chance of being selected as a product in our LEGO Review. The paradox is that we can only learn what is possible to produce through LEGO Ideas by evaluating a wide range of projects and identifying project attributes that fit our capabilities over time.

You’ve also shared opinions and suggestions about how to make LEGO Ideas an even better experience. We feel fortunate to have a passionate community that strives for this as much as we do. While we can’t accommodate every wish, your collective feedback has been incredibly valuable in making these changes to improving LEGO Ideas for as many as possible.

Throughout the rest of 2016 and beyond, our team is working to improve the way we engage on the platform and social media, improving our internal LEGO Review process, and working on the overall long-term growth of the LEGO Ideas experience.

Update and Ideas Logo curtsey of LEGO Ideas website.

Steam Tractor LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
This project by Mr_Kleinstein takes us back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the technology of steam, specifically, steam tractors and their different uses and styles. Mr_Kleinstein's project is a 3in1 project with options to build Showman's Engine, Farm Engine, and Road Roller. For more information, you can visit the project page here.

Appeals of this Project
The Steam Tractor project depicts some wonderful details of steam tractors. I especially like the 3in1 design of this project and how with one set there are three different building possibilities. The Showman's Engine (more information about the use of a showman's tractor on the project page), pictured above, is a lovely dark red color with gold stripes that accent to the build nicely. This tractor is complete with everything from the fancy entertainer to the canopy with electric lights, and countless other details.

The Farm Engine is another wonderful alternative, featuring functional steering (as do all three builds), nicely designed steam piston using the barrel as the cylinder, and is shown in an attractive shade of green (along with the yellow wheels it kind of reminds me of a John Deere tractor, although John Deere never produced a steam tractor). Another nice feature with the Farm Engine is the array of possible trailers that can be attached to the rear in order to perform various jobs around the farm. Anything from a plow, harrow, tanker, wagon, threshing machine, or any number of other possibilities.

The last building option is the Road Roller. This steam tractor was used to pave roads before the more modern internal combustion engine road rollers were used. You will notice the heavy duty roller in place of the front wheels that the other two tractor designs have, allowing this build to make the roadways for other vehicles to drive on. This steam tractor is featured in a lovely shade of light blue (or medium azure to be technically correct) with gold trim and red wheels that provide nice contrast.

A couple of other nice features with this project include the option to integrate the tractors with the LEGO PowerFunction system so that it can drive automatically, and the fully functioning gear and drive systems incorporated in the model. Additional details included in each of the tractor builds are the steam release valves, piston, the color scheme and wonderful detailing.

Areas for Improvement
Overall, this is a wonderfully built project from the Showman's Engine, to the Farm Engine, to the Road Roller, and there is nothing that comes to mind in the way of improvements.

Conclusion
This Steam Tractor Project is a direction that The LEGO Group has not gone before in previous sets, and it would be refreshing to see a new and original idea like this become a LEGO set that is available on store shelves. I believe this project has every chance of being a fantastic set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Official LEGO Ideas Review process. You can see more pictures and offer your support to help this project become a set by clicking here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? Click here to find out more.


Photos used and review completed with the permission of Mr_Kleinstein

Settlers' Covered Wagon LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
This project by AllDay is a picture of a settler family as they head westward in their covered wagon. Ma, pa and their three children have gathered all their worldly possessions into their wagon as they seek a new home on the North American frontier and all of the excitement that will bring along with it.  For more information, you can visit the project page here.

Appeals of this Project
The Settlers' Covered Wagon is a nice project with some nice details. First, let me say that I really like all of the animals that are included in this project. There are two cattle, one horse, and one dog (plus the skull of a cow that was not so lucky). If this becomes a set, that would have great appeal for a number of LEGO enthusiasts even without considering all of the other great features.

The scale of the wagon is just right. It is not so big that is looks out of place, but it is not too small either. I like how the wagon tongue and yolk can be disconnected from the wagon, offering an additional playability feature when the family makes camp or when they are preparing to hit the trail. The little bit of scenery with the cactus and rock helps provide some context for the atmosphere as they head westward.

Going around the wagon, there are a number of accessories that add nice detail to this build. We see a pitchfork, and shovel that will be used for farming at the end of the trail, there is an ax for chopping firewood, and building a log cabin later. Around the back there is a bucket and a cast iron frying pan and the we also see a water barrel around the side for when the settlers get thirsty from being out in the hot sun all day. Inside the wagon, we see they have managed to bring ma's favorite chair and a brick built cradle for the baby. There is also a chest with a letter from the loved ones they were leaving behind (see project page for picture), a book from which the children will learn how to read, and a patchwork quilt to keep them warm on cold nights.

Areas for Improvement
Overall, this is a very well done project. If I were to be nitpicky, I would make the seat at the front of the wagon one plate lower, but otherwise, there is not much else to change as this project is complete with scenery, multiple minifigures and many accessories for playability.

Conclusion
This covered wagon is a wonderful little project with great appeal to LEGO fans of all ages. I believe it would make a nice set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Official LEGO Ideas Review Process. You can see more pictures and offer your support by clicking here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works, click here to find out more.


 Photos used and review completed with the permission of AllDay. AllDay is the writer of this article.

Results of 2015 Third Official LEGO Ideas Review

The results of the LEGO Ideas Official Review Process for the third qualification period of 2015 were posted today, and they are quite interesting. You can read the official announcement here or in the video below.

 

This time, there were two projects approved to be made into official LEGO sets, and they are Beatles Yellow Submarine by Kevin Szets and Apollo 11 Saturn-V by saabfan and whatsuptoday. Personally, I am not overly thrilled with the results of this review. Don't get me wrong, both projects are very well designed and build and worthy of becoming sets, but I did not support either, and more than likely will not be purchasing either when the official sets are released (Beatles Yellow Submarine because I do not have an interest, and Apollo 11 Saturn-V because it will likely be more than I would want to shell out for that type of set).

Of the two projects, Apollo 11 Saturn-V has the most appeal to me, largely due to the aesthetics of the build, the history associated with this model, and the potential pieces that will be included. It really is a beautiful build with lots of great details and lots of good pieces, but I will have to wait and see what the official set looks like before I say I will purchase it.

I am really disappointed that the National Park Service Centennial Vintages did not pass. Even though it would have been too late for the U.S. National Park Centennial Celebration (the sets will be released end of 2016, beginning of 2017), I still would loved to have whatever vintages they chose to produce and would likely have purchased several of them. Full results of the third 2015 Official LEGO Ideas Review can be seen below.

 

 

Images courtesy of LEGO Ideas.

Northern Woods Rustic Camp LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
This project by jarchitecture portrays a camp out in the great northern woods full of birch and pine trees. Although this camp looks comfy from the outside, it is not a camp for your everyday city-slicker minifigure as there is no running water or electricity according to the project page.



Appeals of this Project
The Northern Woods Rustic Camp is an absolutely beautiful project, just as the northern woods are beautiful. The pine trees and the wonderfully build birch trees set the atmosphere quite nicely for this project. The manner in which the birch trees are built is absolutely magnificent, and very realistic considering the scale, and the different shades of green in the pine trees add a nice accent.

Now, let's explore this camp from a minifigure's perspective. First we start at a cozy cabin. This cabin has a single sloped roof and double porch, pot bellied stove and just enough room for a few bunks with built in dressers for the campers. As we continue to traverse the camp, we discover an outdoor kitchen complete with a fireplace, table, chairs, and cooling supplies. This looks like a wonderful place to stop and rest a spell while we fill up on some grub after a long day out in the woods.

After mess call is over and dishes are done the minifigures can head out to the fire pit for a rattling good yarn (a good story for those city slicking minifigures) and some s'mores roasted over the camp fire. Then it is a quick stop by the shower house (not pictured) and the outhouse before hitting the bunk because tomorrow is going to be a busy day out on the water canoeing and kayaking.

Areas for Improvement
This project is very nice throughout, but I would like to see some minifigures populating the camp. Yes, there are some minifigures in the watercraft update, but I would also like to see two or three that are posed in each of the different camp sections (they can be the same minifigures as far as I am concerned). Right now, the camp looks great, but also looks like a ghost camp. Adding a few minifigures to the images would make it much more appealing to me.

Conclusion
From the cabin to the kitchen to the pine and birch forest, this is a well designed and build project. With the addition of a few campers, I believe this would make an amazing set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Official LEGO Ideas Review process. To see more pictures and offer your support, you can click here to visit this project on LEGO Ideas.

Photos used and review completed with the permission of jarchitecture.